New Delhi: In a bid to clean up the Electoral System, Election Commission of India (ECI) delisted 334 political parties in the country.

Besides the 6 national parties and 67 State parties, there were 2854 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties registered as per the provisions of Sectior 29A of the Representation of the People Act 1951.

At present, there are 6 National Parties, 67 State Parties and 2854 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) registered with ECI. On the recommendation of the State Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), the ECI has delisted 334 political parties reducing the the number of RUPPs to 2520.

The ECI has said in a PIB press release, “Guidelines for registration of Political Parties mention that if the party does not contest elections continuously for 6 years, the party shall be taken off`the list of registered parties. In addition, as per Section 29A of the RP Act 1951, parties at the time of their registration have to give details like name, address, office bearers etc. and any change has to be communicated to the Commission without delay. Earlier, in June 2025, ECI had directed the CEOs of States & UTs to conduct verification enquiries of 345 RUPPs regarding compliance with the above conditions. CEOs conducted enquiries, issued show-cause notices to these RUPPs and provided each party an opportunity to respond and present their case through personal hearings.

“Based on reports of the CEOs, 334 RUPPs out of the total of 345 RUPPs have been found not complying with the above conditions. The remaining cases have been referred back to the CEOs for reverification. The Commission, after considering all the facts and recommendations of the CEOs, has delisted 334 RUPPs”

“Now, out of the total of 2854 RUPPs, 2520 are remaining. This delisting exercise is part of a comprehensive and continuous strategy of the Election Commission to clean up the electoral system. These RUPPs will now not be eligible to avail any benefit under the provisions of Section 29B and Section 29C of the RP Act, 1951 read with the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act,1961 and the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.”

The ECI has stated that any party aggrieved by this order can appeal to the Commission within 30 days of the order.